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Home-Start East Fife

Charity registered in Scotland SC010242

Home-Start East Fife have been supporting families across East Fife for over 30 years. Every year 20 - 30 trained volunteers support an average of 60 families with around 170 children. Home-Start East Fife has a staff team of four who work with the Board of Trustees to train and support volunteers so they in turn can support families. Support takes two forms: home-visiting and Family Support Groups. Home-visiting volunteers visit families in their own homes once a week to offer friendship and support, whether parents need an extra pair of hands, help to get out, or just some adult company and a listening ear. In this rural area of North East Fife, social isolation is one of the recurring reasons families are referred to us. Families are referred to us by health visitors, social workers, community psychiatric nurses and other local professionals, or parents can refer themselves. In addition to home-visiting volunteers, Home-Start East Fife runs three Family Support Groups, in Auchtermuchty, St Andrews and Cupar. The Family Support Groups are only for families referred to Home-Start East Fife. They provide a safe and stimulating environment for our parents and their pre-school children. Within the groups, our Family Support Group Co-ordinator and volunteers organise activities aimed at improving parenting skills and promoting positive interaction between parent and child and within their peer groups. Family Support Groups also provide a supportive environment and information exchange for parents experiencing difficulties. The children are given healthy snacks, and have access to educational toys and an environment that allows for physical activity.

Current opportunities

Committee Member

The trustees hold Home-Start in trust for current and future beneficiaries by: • providing leadership and direction within the ethos of Home-Start • ensuring the scheme has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction • being responsible for the effective performance and management of the scheme • ensuring the scheme complies with legal and regulatory requirements, the objects of the scheme, the governing documents including the Home-Start Standards and Methods of Practice, the Home-Start Agreement and quality standards • securing and guarding the scheme’s assets and taking care of their security, deployment and proper application • ensuring that the scheme’s governance is of the highest possible standard • undertaking an ambassadorial role for the scheme • appointing sub-committees and agreeing their terms of reference and membership. Owing to the ongoing pandemic some training and support may be delivered remotely i.e. phone/video calls, outdoor visits etc. Further guidance will be provided as part of induction.
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Family Support Group Volunteer - St Andrews

Home-Start East Fife is a Family Support charity offering support and friendship for parents with young children (0-5years). We offer support to families across East Fife through home visiting volunteers and Family Support Groups. The purpose of the Home-Start East Fife Family Support Groups is bringing together parents and children who may be feeling isolated or lacking in confidence and who may like the opportunity to meet other families. Children have the opportunity to play with their peers and form friendships and are also encouraged to play with parents. We provide activities that are designed to allow families to play and grow together and to build confidence in a relaxed atmosphere. Volunteers assist the Family Support Group Co-ordinator to provide the activities, snacks and on occasions a bit of respite for parents who are feeling overwhelmed or providing parents space to spend time with an older child whilst a volunteer holds the baby. Owing to the ongoing pandemic some training and support may be delivered remotely i.e. phone/video calls, outdoor visits etc. Further guidance will be provided as part of induction.
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Family Support Group Volunteer - Cupar

Home-Start East Fife is a Family Support charity offering support and friendship for parents with young children (0-5years). We offer support to families across East Fife through home visiting volunteers and Family Support Groups. The purpose of the Home-Start East Fife Family Support Groups is bringing together parents and children who may be feeling isolated or lacking in confidence and who may like the opportunity to meet other families. Children have the opportunity to play with their peers and form friendships and are also encouraged to play with parents. We provide activities that are designed to allow families to play and grow together and to build confidence in a relaxed atmosphere. Volunteers assist the Family Support Group Co-ordinator to provide the activities, snacks and on occasions a bit of respite for parents who are feeling overwhelmed or providing parents space to spend time with an older child whilst a volunteer holds the baby. Owing to the ongoing pandemic some training and support may be delivered remotely i.e. phone/video calls, outdoor visits etc. Further guidance will be provided as part of induction.
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Home Visitor

Volunteers help to increase confidence and independence in families by offering support, friendship and practical help. They visit families in their own homes in order to protect and respect each individual’s dignity and identity. A relationship then develops in which understanding and trust can grow. Volunteers often reassure families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual, emphasise the positive aspects of family life, encourage parents strengths and emotional well-being and encourage the family to widen their network and effectively use the support and services available in the community. A volunteer may choose to offer support to more than one family and is supported throughout by a co-ordinator. A Preparation Course is delivered in a fun and rewarding environment. Owing to the ongoing pandemic some training and support may be delivered remotely i.e. phone/video calls, outdoor visits etc. Further guidance will be provided as part of induction.
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